--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've never been a passive person. I've…" description: "\"I've never been a passive person. I've always felt that, if you think something should be changed, it's your responsibility to actively pursue that cha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a5/bob-filner-24264_change_i-ve-never-been-a-passive-person-i-ve-al_1274203.png" --- # I've never been a passive person. I've always felt that… ![“I've never been a passive person. I've always felt that, if you think something should be changed, it's your responsibility to actively pursue that change.” quote by Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a5/bob-filner-24264_change_i-ve-never-been-a-passive-person-i-ve-al_1274203.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a5/bob-filner-24264_change_i-ve-never-been-a-passive-person-i-ve-al_1274203.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a5/bob-filner-24264_change_i-ve-never-been-a-passive-person-i-ve-al_1274203.png) > “I've never been a passive person. I've always felt that, if you think something should be changed, it's your responsibility to actively pursue that change.” [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates personal responsibility to act when recognizing a need for change rather than remaining passive. **In simple terms:** Take action when you see a problem. Key Takeaway Don't wait; be the change. Themes responsibility activism personal agency change Mood determined motivational Type inspirational call to action When to use this quote - community organizing - workplace improvement - policy advocacy - personal relationships Key Concepts civic duty empowerment initiative Questions to Reflect On - What change have you ignored? - How can you inspire others to act? A Different Perspective Change often requires collective effort, not just individual action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [My husband is a natural-born leader. I quickly learned that I had to find a way of honoring his take-charge personality and not get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-cameron/my-husband-is-a-natural-born-leader-i-quickly-learned-that-i-had-to/) [Candace Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-cameron/) > [“Responsibility is something you actively agree to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-hunt/responsibility-is-something-you-actively-agree-to/) [Andrew Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-hunt/) > [Blessed is the person who sees the need, recognizes the responsibility, and actively becomes the answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/blessed-is-the-person-who-sees-the-need-recognizes-the-responsibility/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [I'm not a passive person by any stretch of the imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courteney-cox/i-m-not-a-passive-person-by-any-stretch-of-the-imagination/) [Courteney Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courteney-cox/) > [I am not a passive person, but I chose to fall into a more submissive role in our relationship because I wanted to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-cameron-bure/i-am-not-a-passive-person-but-i-chose-to-fall-into-a-more-submissive/) [Candace Cameron Bure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-cameron-bure/) > [I am a really passive person to begin with so I have written a lot of pretty crappy songs with strangers because I let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martie-maguire/i-am-a-really-passive-person-to-begin-with-so-i-have-written-a-lot-of/) [Martie Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martie-maguire/) > [People of our time are losing the power of celebration. Instead of celebrating we seek to be amused or entertained. Celebration is an active…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/people-of-our-time-are-losing-the-power-of-celebration-instead-of/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [You can't change your life. This mode in literature goes against the more middle-brown mode, which is about shaping your destiny, changing it. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-mccarthy/you-can-t-change-your-life-this-mode-in-literature-goes-against-the/) Tommy McCarthy > [“A part of a healthy conscience is being able to confront consciencelessness. When you teach your daughter, explicitly or by passive rejection, that she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stout/a-part-of-a-healthy-conscience-is-being-able-to-confront/) [Martha Stout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stout/) > [The passive acceptance of exclusionary words and deeds is not okay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/the-passive-acceptance-of-exclusionary-words-and-deeds-is-not-okay/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) > [“But the secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its cleanest components. Every words that serves no function, every long word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-zinsser/but-the-secret-of-good-writing-is-to-strip-every-sentence-to-its/) [William Zinsser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-zinsser/) > [Conservative political opinion in America cleaves to the tradition of the judge as passive interpreter, believing that his absolute loyalty to authoritative law is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/learned-hand/conservative-political-opinion-in-america-cleaves-to-the-tradition-of/) [Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/learned-hand/) > [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/) Gero Miesenbock > [So many people are passive participants in their very short time of having a consciousness, and those who aren't inspire me. Like Malala Yousafzai…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-gelulla/so-many-people-are-passive-participants-in-their-very-short-time-of/) Dylan Gelulla > [“Passive...Aggressive...Pussy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-azzarello/passive-aggressive-pussy/) [Brian Azzarello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-azzarello/) ## More by Bob Filner > [Rosa Parks' courage, determination, and tenacity continue to be an inspiration to all those committed to non-violent protest and change nearly half a century…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/rosa-parks-courage-determination-and-tenacity-continue-to-be-an/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [We have seen that, in another unfunded mandate, the so-called No Child Left Behind Act, which created tougher standards, and we all support that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/we-have-seen-that-in-another-unfunded-mandate-the-so-called-no-child/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [I'm a hugger of both men and women. As it turns out that those are taken in an offensive manner, I need to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/i-m-a-hugger-of-both-men-and-women-as-it-turns-out-that-those-are/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [I was on the San Diego school board for 4 years, where I watched children successfully matriculate into elementary schools from Head Start programs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/i-was-on-the-san-diego-school-board-for-4-years-where-i-watched/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [Unfortunately, my district like many others across the country has a problem with gangs, which is why I introduced this amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/unfortunately-my-district-like-many-others-across-the-country-has-a/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [Studies indicate that these children are more susceptible to advertising and even less likely to understand the purpose of this advertising.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/studies-indicate-that-these-children-are-more-susceptible-to/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [One of the most people who encourge bravery and has patients for every speck on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/one-of-the-most-people-who-encourge-bravery-and-has-patients-for/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [We as a Congress have a moral obligation to bring justice to the families of these victims. Furthermore, as a society based on laws,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/we-as-a-congress-have-a-moral-obligation-to-bring-justice-to-the/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [However, as a parent, as a grandparent, as a former educator, I know that these practices alone when we are dealing with young children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/however-as-a-parent-as-a-grandparent-as-a-former-educator-i-know-that/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [With more than 1,300 sites of care, VA operates the largest integrated health care system in the county](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/with-more-than-1-300-sites-of-care-va-operates-the-largest-integrated/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [I’m a Congressman, and can do whatever I want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/i-m-a-congressman-and-can-do-whatever-i-want/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [Congress is dysfunctional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/congress-is-dysfunctional/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [As Congress continues to debate ways to address illegal immigration, we must remember the many hard-working legal immigrants that contribute so much to our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/as-congress-continues-to-debate-ways-to-address-illegal-immigration/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [The government gets it right on Head Start. We are providing opportunities for children in underserved areas where parents may not be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/the-government-gets-it-right-on-head-start-we-are-providing/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) > [To all the women that I've offended, I had no intention to be offensive, to violate any physical or emotional space. I was trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-filner/to-all-the-women-that-i-ve-offended-i-had-no-intention-to-be/) [Bob Filner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) [Explore all 24 Bob Filner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-filner/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've never been a passive person. 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